Terracotta Army

Heading to Asia for three weeks, our first stop was to Xi’an, China, home of the Terracotta Warriors.

There are over 8,000 soldiers uncovered, which is a pretty hefty amount. When you add the 130 chariots and 520 horses, it’s an enormous historical find — literally. All of that being said, my favorite part of the warriors is how they came to be.

The first emperor of China, Qin Chi Huang, commissioned them to be created so, upon his death, he could bring his army with him to the afterlife. It brings the expression to mind “Heaven doesn’t want me and Hell is afraid I’ll take over.”